Former Premier League striker Gabriel Agbonlahor has urged David Moyes to reduce Pablo Fornals, Said Benrahma and Manuel Lanzini to the bench following Lucas Paqueta’s arrival.
The £51m club-record signing made his first start for the Hammers in Saturday’s controversial defeat to Chelsea last weekend alongside Fornals while Lanzini and Benrahma started on the bench.
Lanzini has been an unused substitute in each of the last three Premier League games while Benrahma has been the man who has directly lost his place to Paqueta in the side.
Agbonlahor feels that the Brazilian should continue in the team and has called for Moyes to introduce another summer addition to the starting line-up.
Speaking to Football Insider he said: “I said this when West Ham signed Benrahma.
“He’s a decent player but I would’ve rather have got a Josh King in, a striker who was available with a bit more speed to help Antonio. Since that, Benrahma’s not done it.
“Fornals and Lanzini are not good enough. Fornals, Lanzini and Benrahma I’d put them all on the bench, not good enough.
“I’d play Paqueta, Soucek and Rice with Bowen, Antonio and Scamacca up front. That would be my team, you’ve got pace then.
“Paqueta looks like he can do a lot more than Fornals, Lanzini and Benrahma. I’m sure West Ham fans would agree.”
Benrahma, Fornals and Lanzini were third, fourth and joint fifth in the scoring charts at the London Stadium last season and were involved in 31 goals between them in the league.
Of course, the club have struggled in front of goal this season, scoring just three goals, but to suggest that Moyes will start both Michail Antonio and Gianluca Scamacca doesn’t seem plausible and while Paqueta’s creative influence is likely to earn him a regular place in the side, the likes of Fornals, Benrahma and Lanzini will all still have to play their part.
